DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Members of the Texas National Guard are in Dallas today, taking the “war on drugs” to the streets as part of Operation Crackdown, a mission they have been carrying out since 1993.

“We help identify houses that have been associated with the drug trade,” says Brigadier General Lester Simpson. “We come in and tear them down, at the request of the city.”

KRLD’s Emily Trube has more from the scene

Emily Trube at the scene

One of the houses that was torn down today is just blocks from Sidney Lanier Elementary school in West Dallas. As part of a special anti-drug program, a group of students was selected to watch the demolition.

They chanted “Knock it down!” as the military personnel started up the huge demolition grapple. “Hit the road, Jack, and don’t you come back no more,” is what they sang as the house came down.

The Texas Joint Counterdrug Task Force has demolished almost 1,300 structures in 24 cities state-wide over the past 20 years. As part of the program, the owner of the property must sign an agreement, giving the Texas Military Forces permission to demolish the structure.